Joe Sestak to challenge Specter in next year's primary?

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Joe sestak, it appears, with only one completed term as a Representative in the US House, is ready to go toe to toe with Arlen specter in next year's primary for US Senator. I've met Joe a few times, as he represents those of us who live in PA's 7th District, and while his personality/speaking voice is a bit too measured and strange for my taste (yeah, that's the worst thing I can say about him), he's a superb and effective Democrat. Much more so than Specter is or could be. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called him the most productive freshman member of congress the year before last. Read more about him here. Perhaps his biggest victory so far (surely one of the more satisfying things from the 2006 election) is him beating up on Curt Weldon, the tragic, unamerican, Republican House Member who "led" the 7th District for two decades, and mercifully ended his dysfunctional career. Maybe he can do the same to Arlen "the Clown" Specter. - sj

From Huffington Post, yesterday...

Rumors that Rep. Joe Sestak, (D-PA) intends to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) in the Pennsylvania Democratic primaries have been confirmed, TPMDC reported today. The site received a handwritten note from Sestak to a supporter asking for donations. Sestak's sister, Meg Infantino, who works for Sestak for Congress, confirmed the report.

Specter is planning to run for re-election next year after recently switching parties to avoid a primary challenger in the Republican field.

Sestak confirmed that he intends to throw his hat in the ring in a conversation today with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room." Said Sestak:

"Wolf, I personally have made a decision that I intend to get in this race with one other item. I haven't sat down and had the time to sit down with my 8-year-old daughter or my wife to make sure that we are all ready to get in."

Sestak emphasized that he is not worried about clashing with the White House, although President Obama has thrown his weight behind Specter and has vowed to campaign for him. Sestak noted that he had not been contacted by the White House and expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's decision to line up behind Specter